Tags: consumer technology

Anthropic announced today that its AI assistant Claude now supports 15 additional app connectors, adding popular services such as Uber, Uber Eats, Spotify, Instacart, TurboTax and Booking.com. The rollout lets users execute tasks across these platforms directly within a Claude conversation, from ordering food to filing taxes. Anthropic says the feature respects privacy, requires user confirmation before any purchase, and does not use connected‑app data to train its models. The expansion aims to make Claude a more practical, everyday tool for iPhone and Android users. Lire la suite

Anthropic announced that its Claude AI chatbot can now connect to a suite of consumer‑focused services, including AllTrails, Spotify, Instacart and Uber. The new integrations let users plan hikes, play music, order groceries and book rides without leaving the chat. Anthropic says the move shifts Claude’s capabilities from primarily professional and educational tasks to everyday personal use, with more apps slated for future addition. Lire la suite

A recent Wall Street Journal report highlights how people are turning artificial intelligence into a household assistant for repetitive, time‑consuming chores. Users are employing AI tools such as Claude to compare health plans, locate doctors, optimize nutrition, and streamline workouts. Others combine motion sensors, messaging platforms, and AI code to automate dish and laundry alerts, grocery ordering, and chore tracking. Weekly Zoom sessions allow participants to exchange AI tips for tasks ranging from job research to wedding planning. The overall effect is less friction at home and more time for hobbies, exercise, and personal connections. Lire la suite

During the Super Bowl, Google presented a 60‑second Gemini commercial that framed the AI tool as a quiet helper for ordinary life. The ad, titled “New Home,” shows a mother using Gemini to visualize a new house for her son, positioning the technology as supportive rather than central. This approach contrasts sharply with the company’s earlier Olympic ad, which featured a dad asking Gemini to write a heartfelt letter and was widely seen as a misfire. The new spot reflects a broader trend of AI‑centric advertising that leans on sentimentality and practical assistance. Lire la suite

Google is shifting its focus from flashy AI demos to real‑world usefulness, a strategy it calls "AI utility." By embedding its Gemini models into Android phones, Chromebooks, smart glasses, TVs and other hardware, the company aims to give consumers tools that feel powerful and helpful. New features include visual search with Circle to Search, hands‑free Gemini chats in Maps, AI‑driven photo editing on TVs, and agentic AI that can complete tasks without user supervision. Executives say the goal is to turn curiosity about AI into everyday productivity, especially on smaller or screen‑less form factors. Lire la suite

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced a new AI‑first device, describing its use as "sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake" that offers calm amid the clutter of phones and apps. While the vision emphasizes serenity, critics argue the device’s context‑aware capabilities require continuous monitoring of a user’s location, speech, habits and moods, effectively turning it into an all‑encompassing observer. The debate centers on the trade‑off between convenience and privacy, with concerns that the promised peace may mask pervasive data collection and potential misuse of personal information. Lire la suite

Amazon has rolled out Alexa+, its AI‑powered assistant, within the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android. The feature is available to all subscription tiers but requires early‑access enrollment. Alexa+ enables conversational music discovery, letting users ask detailed questions about artists, lyrics, or movie placements, and it can generate personalized playlists on request. Early users report deeper engagement, exploring songs more frequently and listening to more recommendations. The launch positions Amazon Music against competing AI‑enhanced streaming services and showcases the company’s broader AI ambitions. Lire la suite

Researchers at Oregon State University and Florida State University have created a smartphone‑based artificial‑intelligence tool that can predict avocado firmness with more than 90% accuracy. By analyzing subtle cues in photos, the model tells users when a Hass avocado is perfectly ripe, helping shoppers and retailers avoid the narrow 15‑second window between hard and overripe fruit. The technology targets the massive waste of avocados—estimated at nearly a third of all harvested produce—by giving consumers a reliable way to time consumption, with broader applications envisioned for other perishable foods. Lire la suite

Apple has reportedly set aside plans for now to develop a lighter, lower‑cost version of its Vision Pro headset. The company is instead concentrating on a secret augmented‑reality glasses project. Analysts note that the Vision Pro’s high price, heavy design and limited content have hampered sales, and the pause raises questions about the headset’s future as Apple eyes a more mainstream AR solution. Lire la suite

Sunshine, the consumer AI startup founded by former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, is closing its doors and selling its assets to a newly incorporated company called Dazzle AI. An email to shareholders on September 17 indicated that 99 percent of shareholders have signed off on the deal. Mayer, the largest shareholder, said the move will allow the roughly 15‑person team to transition to Dazzle. The shutdown follows a mixed product history that included the Sunshine Contacts app and the later Shine photo‑sharing service. Lire la suite

A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that a majority of Americans want more control over how artificial intelligence is used in their everyday lives. While many accept AI in areas like weather forecasts and fraud detection, respondents express discomfort with AI in personal realms such as relationships and creativity. The poll highlights a growing "AI control gap," with roughly half of adults feeling more concerned than excited about AI's expanding role. The findings suggest that clearer opt‑out mechanisms and transparency could be key to building public trust as AI becomes more embedded in consumer devices and online services. Lire la suite

Samsung introduced the Galaxy S25 FE, Galaxy Tab S11, and Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra at IFA 2025, expanding its mobile lineup with a more affordable flagship S25 variant and two high‑end tablets. The devices feature larger displays, upgraded cameras, faster chipsets and enhanced AI capabilities such as Circle to Search and generative tools. Samsung highlighted a goal to double its Galaxy AI user base to 400 million by year‑end, emphasizing AI’s seamless integration into everyday tasks without users needing to know it’s AI. Lire la suite

OpenAI’s ChatGPT Agent demonstrated its ability to handle a multi‑step online purchase by ordering a pizza from a local shop. The system navigated the restaurant’s website, added the desired pie to the cart, and completed checkout after the user supplied address and payment details. The process took only a few minutes, and the pizza arrived promptly. While the experience highlights the convenience of AI‑driven personal assistants, it also raises questions about security, potential misuse, and the broader impact of agents that can interact directly with consumer platforms. Lire la suite